Counseling Like the Good Shepherd: Leading Counselees to Rest in JesusJohn 10 A few years ago I was running some errands one afternoon when I noticed that one car tire was almost completely flat. I slowly made my way to a tire store. There was a long line and wait. Finally, I spoke to […]
Read More Counseling Like the Good ShepherdSome helpful and interesting articles I’ve bookmarked recently (or not so recently): No, you don’t need to unplug from social media, but these two articles might help you think about how to use social media wisely: “Digital Detox, Intentional Ignorance, and the Proximity Principle” and “I Changed My Mind About Social Media: Why I Decided […]
Read More Grab bagEveryone is a counselor. Everyone is a mentor. Everyone attempts to influence others with their beliefs and belief systems. It might be as simple as trying to convince others of the beauty of a medium-rare steak, or the joys of being a fan of the Texas Rangers (at least this year), or the importance of […]
Read More Don’t be that kind of mentorI have recently been re-reading David Powlison’s book, Good and Angry. I found two ideas to be particularly helpful. First, like a good biblical counselor, he reminds us readers to supplant sinful anger with a corresponding righteous replacement. And he reminds us of the nature of God to do that, drawing attention to God’s interaction […]
Read More When you are angryYou only have one opportunity to make a first impression. Bad first impressions can be corrected, strengthened, or supplemented so that initial miscues aren’t lasting failures. As first impressions go, Job’s friends were masterful. When Job’s tragic circumstances became known, his friends came immediately to be with him (Job 2:11). No delay, no mental hesitation, […]
Read More Counseling and first impressionsMany years ago I saw a new title by a favored author and I immediately purchased the book for two reasons: one, I always benefited from all that author’s writings, and two, the book was on the topic of the fear of God, something I had struggled to comprehend as a believer. So with anticipation […]
Read More What is the Fear of God?This article first appeared in a post at The Center for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship. We like to hide. From playing peek-a-boo as an infant to hide-and-seek as a child. From that game the child learns there is a reward for being hidden. As adolescents and teenagers, more hiding ensues. If the teen is a […]
Read More The Counselor’s Hidden Life of ShameOur church is thrilled to announce the inauguration of a new biblical counseling resource site: Center for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship. This website is the result of months of planning and design and is another aspect of our desire to equip and train individuals to use the Scriptures well in counseling and discipling others. We […]
Read More New Biblical Counseling Resource SiteDo you know a teenager who has some form of addiction (alcohol, illegal drugs, food, video and gaming, or sex are some common examples)? Do you know a parent who has a teenager struggling with an addiction? Do you live in or near Granbury, Texas? If so, then our church has help for you. On […]
Read More Addictions and Your TeenagerThere are several different approaches to counseling people from a Christian perspective. One form that is gaining influence among Christians is the Christian Psychology movement. What is the background to that movement, what is its theology, and how can we biblically evaluate it? These are some of the questions our associate pastor, Keith Palmer, recently […]
Read More Understanding Christian PsyschologyWhen a counselee graduates from the discipleship counseling process, I encourage him to continue in the spiritual disciplines and patterns he has developed in the counseling process. Sometimes it is easy to forget the things that most help us walk with God, so I have put together a brief list of essentials for the spiritual […]
Read More Spiritual disciplines for a lifetime of spiritual growthThis weekend, Heath Lambert, the executive director elect of NANC announced that next month the board of directors for NANC will be proposing a name change for its organization. The newly proposed name will be the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). Lambert outlined three reasons for the name change: Earlier this year, NANC’s board […]
Read More A proposed name change for NANCDavid Murray: The main question most people ask in marriage relationships today is, “What can I get out of it?” Especially, “What sex can I get out of it?” And when the investment of time, money, emotion, and sexual energy does not pay off as expected? Separation. And the search for a better return from […]
Read More The goal of marital counseling (and marriage)From Desiring God: Preparing well for marriage means asking hard questions. Getting to know that special someone includes learning about family and friends and schooling and athletics, favorite pastimes, books, movies, life’s best moments and worst, the brightest places in our background and the darkest. But what about theology? Ever think to ask about that? […]
Read More Free Piper eBook — Preparing for MarriageSome helpful articles from the last week: Here are two helpful resources on Mormonism: Russell Moore writes how “How Christians Should Engage Latter-day Saints.” The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary hosted a panel discussion on the topic, “The Mormon Moment? Religious Conviction and the 2012 Election” (audio | video) George Lawson writes that, “Reliable Source Reveals […]
Read More Grab bag
Words of Grace 